The Role of Cluster Organizations as Enablers of Open Innovation for Sustainable Development in Emilia-Romagna

This thesis investigates how intermediaries, specifically Clust-ER organizations in Emilia-Romagna, act as enablers of open innovation for sustainable development. This research is framed within the literature body that highlights the role of intermediaries and open innovation as catalysts for sustainable development. The research question guiding the study is: How do Clust-ERs in Emilia-Romagna support the sustainable innovation processes of their members and the broader territory? Methodologically, the study combines desk research with a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that Clust-ERs in Emilia-Romagna operate as intermediaries and catalysts for sustainable development, fostering collaborative exchange and networking among members, diffusing knowledge and skills, facilitating access to funds, infrastructures and projects, making innovative solutions more accessible, while not providing market-based services directly to their associates. Clust-ERs support an open approach to innovation and effectively match demand and supply of sustainable solutions, maintaining a balanced representation between companies and research institutions. This dual structure helps reconcile the need for long-term innovation with the urgency of business-ready solutions. Finally, they help strengthening the competitiveness of the regional ecosystem for sustainable innovation in collaboration and advocating with policymakers, with a growing focus on skills and capabilities development. The thesis also identifies current challenges and opportunities for cluster organizations in terms of scalability, resources and monitoring capabilities, offering insights for policymakers and companies to further leverage the role of Clust-ERs, while suggesting avenues for future research.